Corby Town Information

Lying on the edge of Rockingham Forest, the steel town of
Corby dates back at least to the 8th century when
Danes settled here. These strangers introduced the
bizarre tradition of the Pole Fair, which still
takes place once every 20 years. It involves
readings of the Royal Charter – granted by
Elizabeth 1 in 1568 - at special toll gates around
the town, followed by a carnival. Anyone who fails
to pay a toll is carted off to the stocks.

The town became famous in the mid-20th century
when a Scottish company moved here to open a
steelworks and exploit local deposits of iron
ore. The ore has been mined for many centuries
and royal furnaces existed even at the time of
Edward the Confessor.
Rockingham Castle stands nearby on the summit of a
hill over the River Welland. With stunning
gardens, it dates back to the reign of William the
Conqueror.
Corby is also well placed for visits to Brigstock
Country Park, Kirby Hall and the important nature
reserve of King’s Wood. Nearby Deene Park House is
a sprawling Georgian mansion set in beautiful
gardens.